Senior Director of Development for the College of Engineering

About the role

The Senior Director of Development for the College of Engineering develops and executes strategies to secure philanthropic support for San José State University fundraising priorities identified by the University’s leadership in collaboration with University Advancement.

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned prospective donor portfolio of key individuals supporting university and School of Engineering fundraising priorities
• Coordinate with Prospect Research team to expand and enhance a prospect pipeline that aligns with university and campaign priorities
• Actively manage and prospect / donor portfolio with annual goals for personal visits and fundraising outcomes based on established metrics
• Develop and execute sound strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects/donors
• Initiate contact, develop appropriate cultivation plans, and move individuals in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
• Present and regularly review top prospect strategies with immediate supervisor and other key team members as appropriate
• Work collaboratively with the leadership of the College, key university administrators and other stakeholders, offering them counsel on donor-centric cultivation and solicitation strategy, as appropriate
• Work collaboratively with peers in Major Gifts as well as colleagues in Annual Giving, Planned Giving and Corporate and Foundation Relations
• Work with volunteer leadership providing direction and support in maximizing the Colleges major gift fundraising potential
• Focus on securing funding for designated priorities including academic programs, endowed chairs and professorships, scholarships, unrestricted support, facility renovations, new facilities and other specified priorities
• Collaborate with stewardship colleagues with donor stewardship efforts particularly pertaining to assigned college/unit/project and help promote a culture of gratitude among internal and external constituents
• Effectively utilize the campus prospect management system to enter prospect/donor contact reports and other relevant data in a timely fashion
• Prepare written donor cultivation and solicitation plans and proposals
• Participate in staff, functional and strategy meetings including prospect review sessions, and attend conferences, seminars, and other development training as feasible and appropriate
• Engage in campus and college activities relevant to the fundraising mission of the University

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising
• Evidence of strong written communication skills; ability to write clearly and persuasively
• Ability to identify donors and close gifts of six and seven figures
• Ability to navigate the institution/college and make the appropriate match for donor interests
• Ability to engage and support volunteer leadership with their efforts in fundraising, consultation, and advocacy